No Summer Break from Trusting God

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What if the most important decision you'll ever make has nothing to do with your career, your relationships, or your finances? What if it comes down to one simple question: Do you actually trust God — not just say you do, but truly trust him?

This past Sunday, I preached from 2 Corinthians 5:17, and I want to share the heart of that message with you here. We're in the middle of summer — a season when most of us slow down, take breaks, and exhale. And there's nothing wrong with that. But as believers, there is one thing we simply cannot afford to take a break from: trusting in God.

Trusting God Is More Than Words

We opened with this familiar verse:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17

That verse is powerful. But here's what I want us to sit with: it's not enough to say you trust God. It's not enough to sing it on Sunday morning or teach it in a class. At some point, there must be action behind your words.

I think about my own marriage. It wasn't enough for me to tell my wife Elizabeth that I loved her. She needed to see it. After I gave my life to Christ at Charity Hospital, I called her and said, "Baby, I'm a changed man." She said, "I'll believe it when I see it" — and hung up. She watched me for three years before she believed the change was real. Not because of what I said, but because of what I did.

That's exactly the point the Apostle Paul is making. Real trust in God produces visible results.

When You Trust God, You Make a Choice

The first part of our text says, "if anyone is in Christ." That's a choice. Trusting God begins with a definite, deliberate decision — not a guess, not a hope, not a "I think so." When you truly trust God, you know that you know that you know you're saved.

The writer of Proverbs said it plainly:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." — Proverbs 3:5-6

Joshua modeled this beautifully. When the people around him were drifting, he drew a line in the sand and declared: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). That's a choice. Not a feeling, not a convenience — a commitment made in the face of pressure.

The road gets rough. The hills get hard to climb. But when you've made that choice, you can stand firm no matter what comes.

When You Trust God, You Make a Change

Paul says, "Old things have passed away." That's a change. And here's the truth: you can tell whether someone is truly trusting God by whether anything in their life looks different.

I'm not talking about perfection. I'm talking about direction. Are you still doing the same things you did before Christ? Still running from the same things, still held by the same habits, still treating people the same way? Old things passing away means something has to actually change.

The woman at the well in John 4 is one of my favorite examples. She had five husbands and was living with a man who wasn't hers. But when she encountered Jesus, she didn't just have a nice conversation — she left her water pot, ran back to her city, and said, "Come see a man who told me everything I ever did." Her life was different. Her face was different. That's what a real encounter with Jesus produces.

When I gave my life to Christ, my walk changed. My talk changed. My values changed. Not because I was trying harder — but because I was different.

When You Trust God, You Make a Commitment

Finally, Paul says, "Behold, all things have become new." That's a commitment. A commitment to your new life in Jesus Christ.

This is where so many of us miss it. We're committed to everything else — our schedules, our social lives, our hobbies — and then we give God whatever is left over. But consider this: what if God gave us his leftovers? Leftover grace. Leftover mercy. Leftover air.

I'm so glad God doesn't operate that way. In spite of us, he still woke us up this morning. In spite of us, he still gave us grace and mercy and peace and forgiveness. And if that wasn't enough to show his commitment to us — he gave his life on Calvary's cross.

"Wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." — Isaiah 53:5

That kind of love demands a commitment in return. Not leftovers. Our best.

This Isn't a Seasonal Decision

We don't get a summer break from trusting God. The enemy doesn't take a vacation. Every day, he is scheming and plotting against your walk with God — and the only answer is to wholeheartedly put your faith, your trust, and your confidence in God. Not in a preacher. Not in a program. In God alone.

So today, I want to ask you directly: Have you made the choice? Have you allowed God to make a change in your life? Are you committed to something new?

If you're ready to make that decision — or if you want to talk through what trusting God really looks like — reach out to us. You can call our church office at 504-488-8488 or watch the full sermon on our YouTube channel. I'd love to walk through this with you personally.

The road gets rough. The hills get hard. But there's no doubt in my mind — I've decided to make Jesus my choice. My hope is that you have too.

Social Media Excerpt (Facebook/Instagram): We don't get a summer break from trusting God. This past Sunday, I shared three things that happen when you truly put your faith in God — not just in words, but in action. It starts with a choice, leads to a change, and calls for a total commitment. Read the full message at the link below. 🙏

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